Free The Texas Ranger's Family by Rebecca Winters

I’ll see you in a minute.”
    Natalie lifted Amy and put her in the high chair with one of her toys. Then she folded up the playpen and put it back in the nursery. Before long she heard the garage door lift. To know he would be there in a minute made her excited, and it had nothing to do with the fact that his job as a Ranger was to keep her safe while he solved this case.
    In a very short time she’d gotten use to this temporary arrangement and had made dinner with him in mind. Remember it’s only temporary, Natalie. But try telling her heart that when he appeared in the kitchen wearing the clerical shirt. There was no way to shut out his arresting masculine appeal.
    â€œSomething smells good.”
    â€œAre you hungry?”
    â€œFamished.”
    â€œI’ve made tacos.”
    â€œGive me a minute and I’ll join the two of you. Here’s the key to Rod’s car.”
    When he disappeared, she got out a jar of junior sweet potatoes and lamb for Amy. Kit walked in a few minutes later wearing a claret-colored polo shirt and jeans. It was getting harder and harder to keep her eyes off him.
    â€œHelp yourself to anything you want, Kit.”
    His smile made her pulse race. “Since you’re busy feeding the cherub, can I fix you a plate, too?”
    â€œI’d love it.”
    She’d fried half a dozen tortillas. One taco was enough for her. But when she saw that he’d eaten four filled shells along with a large helping of tossed salad, she wondered whether she’d made enough.
    He finally sat back in the chair and centered his hazel gaze on her. “That was delicious.”
    â€œI can make more.”
    â€œIf I take another bite, I won’t have room for the chocolate-marshmallow ice cream I bought.”
    Natalie grinned. “So that’s your favorite dessert?”
    â€œOne of them. I’ll get it. Would you like some, too?”
    â€œSounds good.”
    â€œDo you think Amy would like a taste?”
    â€œOf course, but she’s not getting the chance yet. Once she discovers chocolate, all my hopes of feeding her healthy foods will go right out the window.”
    Laughter rumbled out of him, grabbing the little girl’s attention.
    â€œKit—” Amy spoke his name with a happy smile.
    â€œThat’s my name, sweetheart.” The tender look he gave her daughter touched Natalie deeply.
    Kit dished out two bowls of the ice cream and handed one to Natalie.
    She took a mouthful. “This is yummy. I haven’t had this flavor in years.”
    His dessert disappeared in a hurry. “I’ve loved it since I was a little kid.”
    â€œWhat else did you love as a boy?”
    â€œOh...the usual. Snakes, fireworks, anything scary or that went boom.”
    A chuckle escaped her lips. “Your poor mom.”
    â€œYup. With two sons to raise, she had her hands full while Dad was out on a case.”
    Her head lifted. “A case? What kind? What did he do?”
    He eyed her through narrowed lids. “He was a Texas Ranger.”
    â€œWas?”
    â€œDad was killed in a shootout when I was seventeen.”
    â€œOh, no—I’m so sorry.” She bit her lip. “How hard to have lost him that early in life. I’m surprised it didn’t put you off becoming a Ranger.”
    He shook his head. “Just the opposite. In 1842 Sam Houston got a law passed that provided for a company of mounted men to act as Rangers under Captain John Coffee ‘Jack’ Hays. My ancestor was one of them.”
    â€œYou’re serious?”
    â€œYup. Three of the other Rangers who are my close friends are also descendants from the original company. The guys at headquarters have nicknamed us the Sons of the 40.”
    â€œWait a minute. I saw the four of you on TV. You brought down that huge drug ring!”
    He nodded.
    â€œI thought I’d seen you before.” She studied his rugged features. “I